Secrets of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 3)

by Teresa Greene

  Lacy opened her eyes and peered around the room. She thought she heard the click of the door closing. “Michelle?” Her mind was an unfocused blur.

  Gaze on the door, she bolted upright in bed. “Michelle, are you there?” No answer. The room was quiet. She was alone. A familiar smell lingered in the air. Still groggy from sleep, she tried to understand why the fragrance was memorable. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. She threw her feet over the side of the bed, eyes darting in every corner of the dark room. Bret Robertson had been in her room. The impulse to run out the door screaming had her counting to ten to control her fear. How she made it to the door was a mystery since she was shaking uncontrollably. She flicked on the light before she tried the doorknob. It was locked.

  Back against the door, she tried to calm down. Maybe she had been dreaming. Could be the dream was so real she imagined smelling Bret’s cologne. Not convinced, she raced to her bed, dropped down on all fours, and grabbed the bat she kept there for protection. Holding it like a weapon, she padded into the bathroom in her bare feet. Her hand shook so violently, it took a couple of tries to switch on the light. Nothing was out of place.

  Lacy stepped back into the bedroom and sniffed. The faint scent had evaporated. Maybe she should continue her sessions with the school psychiatrist. She felt she had made progress with the FBI psychiatrist Josh insisted she see, but it was too inconvenient to drive into Raleigh every day. Apparently, the trauma of almost being raped was causing her to hallucinate.

  She placed the bat back under her bed and crossed to the window. She opened the blind and looked down at the yard below. An eerie feeling she was being watched caused the hair to stand up on the back of her neck. Scanning the grounds, she could see no one. Light from the streetlight penetrated the area except under the oak. Could someone be there watching her now? Could that someone be Bret? Too frightened to watch any longer, she dropped the blind and stepped away from the window. Both hands clutched her flip flopping stomach.

  Lacy dragged one of the dining chairs across the floor and braced it under the doorknob. Tomorrow she would have Tommy install a safety chain. Shaking like a leaf, she climbed back into bed, and placed the bat next to her head on the pillow just as a precaution. Eyes wide open, she stared at the door.

  ****

  Bret stepped out from the shadows and gazed up at the now dark window. What a rush of adrenaline! The close call had him so excited he vibrated with energy. One second longer and Lacy would have seen him standing over her bed. Wouldn’t that have shocked the hell out of her?

  He fished in his pocket until he felt the cameo. His fingers polished the piece of jewelry feeling the shape and lines. He wondered if it was carved of ivory or a conch shell. Maybe it was very valuable. He closed his eyes and imagined Lacy with it against her bare chest while he made love to her. He could almost feel himself pushing into her. The attraction was so strong he couldn’t wait to have her. He whispered into the darkness, “It won’t be long now, Lacy.”

  He sighed in remembrance. The feel of her beneath him, the taste of her lips, the feel of her breasts in his hands. He loved virgins. Just knowing he was the only man that had ever touched her gave him a sense of power like he had never felt before. He had bedded virgins before, plenty of them. Some he had been unable to seduce, some like Lacy he had to drug. He knew the moment he met one. It was if he could smell their innocence. But once the cherry was broken, he didn’t get the same thrill. He craved purity, wholesomeness, sweetness; rare traits to find in women these days. Lacy was all those things. He had noticed her months earlier and couldn’t believe his good luck when she walked right into the frat house where he resided.

  If only her friend hadn’t freaked out when she couldn’t find her at the party. Five more minutes was all he had needed to feel the fulfillment he desired. Next time they would not be interrupted. He’d make sure of that.

  He pulled the hood of his jacket over his head to hide his identity, jammed his hands into his pockets, and strode toward the frat house. He’d still be able to get a couple hours of sleep if he hurried. He broke into a jog as provocative fantasies of Lacy swirled in his head.

  ****

  Someone pushing against the door woke Lacy. She popped up and realized Michelle was at the door. “Lacy, are you in there?”

  Lacy frantically kicked off the covers and ran for the door. She yanked the chair away from the door and stepped back. Michelle and Tommy pushed open the door and stood in the threshold staring at her. “Why did you have a chair against the doorknob?”

  “Just a precaution. I had a nightmare about three o’clock and then my imagination kept running away. You know, I heard voices and things that go bump in the night.” Lacy did her best to make light of her night of terror. Michelle would never leave her alone if she knew what really happened.

  Realizing she was wearing her tee-shirt and panties, Lacy hurried to the end of the bed and grabbed her robe. She looped the belt before she turned around to face Michelle and Tommy.

  “Are you okay?” Tommy’s eyes narrowed.

  “I’m fine. I told you it was just a nightmare.”

  Michelle dropped her suitcase to the floor and placed her hands on Lacy’s shoulders. “I shouldn’t have left you so soon. You’re still traumatized because of Bret Robertson.”

  Lacy gritted her teeth. “Stop treating me like a baby. I said I’m fine.”

  “Then what is this doing in your bed?” Tommy crossed to her bed and picked up the bat. “Do you normally sleep with a bat?” Lacy pulled away from Michelle and jerked the bat out of his hand. She stooped to place it under her bed. “No, I usually sleep with it under the bed instead of in it.”

  A look of pity on his face, he asked, “Did something else happen while we were gone? Did Bret approach you again?”

  They were worried enough about her. She wasn’t going to add to that worry. “It was nothing more than a nightmare.”

  By their expressions neither believed her. She scowled at the concern she saw on their faces. In an effort to change the subject, she replied, “Enough about me. How was your weekend?”

  A pretty blush spread across Michelle’s cheeks. “I can’t speak for Tommy, but I had a great time.” Lacy was sure she’d get the sordid details later.

  Tommy’s smile was wicked. “I had a blast.”

  Lacy grabbed Tommy’s arm and looked at his watch. “I’ve got class in thirty minutes. I’d better hurry and shower.” Over her shoulder she shouted, “Maybe we can get together tonight and you can fill me in on your trip.”

  Lacy shut the door and leaned against it. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Was she going crazy? Did any of what she imagined last night actually happen? Panic threatened to take over. She fought to control her emotions. She whispered, “You’re a badass. Remember what Dylan said, Don’t show fear.” Thinking of Dylan helped her feel stronger, helped her to have the courage to face the day.

  By the time Lacy turned off the tap, Michelle was banging on the bathroom door. “My turn, Lacy.”

  “Just a minute.” Quickly drying off, she wrapped the towel around her tucking it in at her breasts. She opened the small cabinet under the sink and grabbed the carved wooden box that had once belonged to her mother. She opened the door and scooted around Michelle. “All yours.”

  “You must have been slopping in the dirt with pigs. I didn’t think you’d ever get out of the shower.”

  “Ha, ha, very funny.” Lacy dropped the box on her bed and began to dress. After she was completely clothed, she opened the box and for seconds simply stared at the contents inside. Several of the bracelets and necklaces belonged to her mother and she rarely wore them always fearing she might lose one of the cherished pieces. Everything was there except the ivory cameo that had belonged to Hilda.

  “What’s wrong?” Michelle was standing in the doorway of the bathroom drying her hair with a towel.

  “Have you seen my cameo?”

  “It wasn’t on the ba
throom sink.” Michelle roamed through the room. She moved some things around on the table. “It’s not here.” She slowly made her way to Lacy’s bed and peered into the box. “Do you think you lost it?”

  “No, I’m sure I put it back. I wore it day before yesterday and I swear I remember putting it back.” Bret. If he were in her room last night, he could have taken the cameo. She pressed both hands to her thudding heart. Why was he torturing her? Could his reason be to make it seem she was going crazy? She felt his intent was more sinister. He came into her room, touched her while she slept and stole something he had seen her wear. Fighting back the panic, she took several deep breaths.

  Michelle sat down next to Lacy placing her arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay, Lacy. I’m sure you’ll find the cameo. It’s probably here somewhere.”

  Lacy knew better. She’d never see the cameo again. Bret stole something very precious and dear to her heart.

  Chapter Eight

  Several times during the week Lacy had called Shady Acres and left a message for Billy to call her, but he had ignored her request. She hoped he hadn’t had second thoughts about speaking with her. On her last visit she felt she had made a lot of progress getting him to trust her.

  She felt a little nervous when she pushed open the door and peeked in. The nurse at the desk said he had been weak and didn’t want to sit in the courtyard. He sat at the window peering at the birds eating from the birdfeeder. He had aged even more in the past week. Her heart went out to him.

  “Hello.”

  He turned at the sound of her voice. The creases in his old face deepened when he smiled. “I thought you would have gotten tired of the long drive by now. An old man like me can’t be that interesting.”

  He had no idea how interesting he was to her. He knew secrets about Hilda and she craved to know what those secrets were. “I received a shiny new vehicle for my birthday and I love to go on long drives.”

  “A shiny new car. Someone must think you are special.”

  She thought about his comment. “Yes they do.”

  Hands on the back of the wheelchair, Lacy pushed him toward the door. “Let’s go out to the courtyard and get some fresh air.”

  “Looks like I have no control of what I want.” Even though he was gruff, she got the feeling he was happy to see her. “Women always find a way to have the control.”

  “Are you speaking from experience?”

  “I’m speaking for all men.”

  She braced herself for the tour down the hall where the patients near death lived, if it could be called living. Staying in bed all day too weak to get up, the indignity of wearing diapers, and being bathed by nurses. At least it changed her attitude about life and she would enjoy every minute. She wasn’t going to spend time depressed over what Bret did to her. She would overcome and take pleasure in life.

  The smell of death was so overpowering she quickened her steps. At the end of the hall a door stood open. When they went by, Lacy peeked inside and saw a body in the bed covered with a sheet. “That’s Meredith. She died early this morning. She lived to the ripe old age of ninety-eight.” He paused for a second. “If my health doesn’t improve, I’ll be moved to this hall. I’m a catalog of health problems. The last place to go before I die.”

  “You’ve got several years left. You’re a tough old bird.”

  Lacy pushed him to the birdbath and sat on the bench next to the wheelchair. “It’s a beautiful day.”

  He squinted at the sun before he turned his attention to her. “Yes, it is.” He studied her for a few moments before he replied, “Something is different about you. You’re not so shy and timid. The old Lacy would never have brought me outside without my consent. I noticed it the last time you visited me.”

  She leaned in close and whispered, “I kicked a man in the privates and it was liberating.”

  The laugh shook him all over. It was the first time she had heard him laugh. She didn’t think he knew how.

  “Don’t kick me. I don’t have much left down there to damage.”

  She placed her hand on his arm and giggled. “Just don’t make me mad.”

  “I have to admit I’m curious. Why did you kick someone in such a delicate area?”

  Lacy decided to be honest. Maybe if she confided in him, it would help to strengthen their relationship. “A man by the name of Bret Robertson put ecstasy in my drink and then tried to rape me.”

  The look of concern on his face showed he did care about her. “Are you okay?”

  She thought about the question. She was okay. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be able to talk about the near rape so easily. “Yes, I am fine. He followed me and a friend attacked Bret. He held him while I kicked him. I’ve never harmed another person in my life. It felt great to exact a little revenge.”

  “I like you better this way. You’ve got some spunk.”

  The compliment gave her courage to ask the question she had been dying to ask. “How did you come into possession of Hilda’s jewelry?”

  “Right to the point.” He rubbed his chin as the past came rushing in on him. The far-away look led Lacy to believe he was back there now, back in the past. “From the time I was a little boy Granny loved to talk about Darrell and Hilda. I think it helped keep him alive in her mind. I heard the story so many times of how they loved each other. It was like a folk-tale in our family.”

  His chin dropped to his chest and she feared he was asleep. She had to know what happened. She couldn’t go another week without knowing. She sighed in relief when he lifted his head. “My Granny stole the jewelry. She felt Russell Reynolds owed her something. Deep down she felt Russell did something to Darrell. Felt he was responsible for his disappearance.” His eyes moved to the birdbath as the water flowed over the rim. The sound was very pleasing.

  “Russell came home late. Walked right into the house dirty and wet with sweat.” There was a beat of silence before he continued, “The first thing out of his mouth was where was Hilda?” It was difficult to believe he did anything to harm Hilda. She was his flesh and blood.

  “They searched the house and grounds but she wasn’t anywhere. Granny cleaned up the kitchen and one of the hired help drove her home because it had begun to rain.”

  He looked at the sky and then his hands before he continued. “Darrell hadn’t come home either. Granny and my great-grandfather walked back to Twelve Oaks in the dark and rain. Granny informed Russell that Darrell was missing.” Billy rubbed a hand across his face. “He didn’t seem the least bit concerned about Darrell. She said he was upset about Hilda’s disappearance.”

  He spared her a glance. “Russell called the law and reported Hilda missing. He informed the police that Darrell Talbert kidnapped his daughter. You can imagine how upset my granny was. She was no wilting flower. She had the Irish in her and she was spitting mad.” Tears welled in his eyes. “The safe was open and several pieces of the family jewels were missing. Russell convinced the police Darrell also took the family heirlooms.”

  “Anna Bell didn’t believe her son could commit such a horrible crime?”

  “Of course not. She loved him so much. He was going to make things better for his whole family.”

  “Maybe Darrell and Hilda took the jewels so they could run away together.” Lacy arched her eyebrows as she tried to make sense of the mystery. “The heirlooms would have been Hilda’s one day. Maybe they planned to start a life together far away from Taylorsville.”

  “Then what happened? Why were they never seen again?”

  “Something happened at the falls. I don’t know if it was an accident or they were killed. That is what Hilda is trying to tell me. For some reason she wants me to know what happened.”

  He placed his head on the back of the wheelchair and closed his eyes. He looked so tired and defeated. Lacy decided to give him a break. She sat back on the bench and watched the birds enjoying the birdbath. It was a beautiful peaceful place to sit in the sun. Several other residents walked the peri
meter of the protective fence. At least they didn’t have to stay cooped up all day.

  One of the nurses sat on a bench under the tree reading a book to three patients. They seemed to care about the patients. Lacy was glad Billy found such a wonderful place to spend his last months, or years. How much time he was allowed was up to God.

  A nurse approached. Without saying a word she placed her hand to Billy’s wrist and took his pulse. Eyes on her watch she seemed so serious. “Don’t keep him out too long. His heart is getting weaker. The doctor examined him yesterday and said there was nothing they could do because he was too weak for surgery.”

  “I’ll take him back in.” Lacy stood and pushed Billy toward the back entrance. She hated to go back inside the depressing room. He raised his head and remained silent as they made their way down the hall in the direction of his room. She kept her eyes focused straight ahead determined not to look in any of the rooms. It would only cause her depression to worsen.

  “Do you want to sit in front of the window or should I help you into bed?”

  “Right here’s fine.” He pointed at the trunk. “Get the blue folder.”

  Lacy opened the lid and rummaged through the trunk. A blue folder was near the bottom. She carried the folder to Billy. “If you’re tired, I can come back tomorrow.”

  “No, it’s too far a drive.” He untied the ribbon wrapped around the folder. She sat on the bed and watched. He handed her a faded red book. “Hilda’s diary.”

  Surprised, Lacy couldn’t speak. Her hands shook as she placed it in her lap. “How did you get this?”

  “Jewelry wasn’t the only thing Granny stole. She hoped to prove Darrell and Hilda were lovers. When she told Russell they were in love, he called her a liar. Told her Darrell kidnapped Hilda and took her away from Twelve Oaks against her will.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I’m almost at my journey’s end and want you to have her diary. Part of me also wonders what happened to the young lovers. I don’t know if it will be of any help, but maybe it will shed some light on what happened.”